After the Angels were eliminated last year I said they need to go after Jonathan Papelbon or Heath Bell (Who stinks right now in Miami). I am glad they signed Albert Pujols, but most of the Halos problems were in the bullpen. They still are.

It took Jordan Walden all of two batters to lose the finale in Tampa Bay on Thursday. A fastball right down the middle to a fastball hitter.

[1]

Good stuff. I like Brandon Allen, but he eats fastballs for dinner. He’s gotta throw him a wrinkle. Walden blew 10 saves last year, he has blown 2 so far, and the season isn’t 20 games old.

Uh oh, Mark Trumbo had a great game on Thursday. That means that he’ll be benched tomorrow in Cleveland. Gotta get Bobby Abreu his at bats.

[2]

Pujols finally solved the Rays pitching with that dribbler to the outfield. With the way he is playing, you would never know he dominated the National League for the past 10 years.

I did like Pujols hustle on his single. He did get thrown out at second, but I like that he tried.

I wonder when Victor Rojas is gonna blow? You can see the rage in his eyes, and hear the disdain in his voice. On Thursday, when Kevin Jepsen was warming up in the 7th, Rojas said, “I don’t understand this, Scioscia usually goes with LaTroy Hawkins in the 7th.” In other words, Jepsen stinks, why is he warming up?

I guess I should talk about Wednesday’s game. CJ Wilson gets better every start. A career high 11 strikeouts for the lefthander, who gave up way too many runs (2) for the Halos to overcome.

[3]

Jason Isringhausen did walk 4 batters in the 8th. Another fine performance from an Angels reliever.

Nice to see Fernando Rodney get the save in game 2. Don’t get too excited people, Rodney was lights out the first month with the Angels 2 years ago. The league will catch up to him, it always does.

I wonder what the Angels would have to give up to get Huston Street out of San Diego. Padres are rebuilding, so I think a fringe Double A might do the trick. Just spitballing here. Hey, maybe it’s time to give Garrett Richards a chance. I know he is starting in Salt Lake, but that 2.64 ERA has to be an enticing option for the Halos.

I know it’s only the first month of the season, but never in my wildest dreams did I expect the Angels to have one of baseball’s worst records.